According to Rivals.com, Wentzville offensive lineman Nick Demien , who committed to Missouri in August, is the No. 1-rated player in Missouri, followed by Liberty wide receiver Marcus Lucas , who currently has the Tigers at the top of his crowded list of potential suitors.

Though recruiting services have been blamed for excessively glorifying the college football recruiting process with their seemingly unreliable rating process, Ealy—who was bestowed with four stars by at least one service—looks to be quite the land for Missouri.

In addition to the Tigers, Ealy was coveted by rivals Illinois, Kansas, and Nebraska, as well as several SEC schools, including Mississippi, Auburn, and Arkansas.

Assuming he fulfills projections as a defensive end at the college level, Ealy will join a talented rotation at the position at Missouri. Backed by a corps of promising freshmen that includes 2009 class members Michael Sam and Brayden Burnett , Missouri's current group of defensive ends is led by starters Jacquies Smith , a sophomore, and red-shirt freshman Aldon Smith , who is just four sacks shy of surpassing Justin Smith (11) to become MU's single-season record-holder.